Welcoming Spirit Awaits at CenterPointe
May 5, 2021
If there's one thing a community needs, it's a place of worship with open doors and friendly faces that welcome all those who enter. CenterPointe Church does exactly that.
Located at the heart of Vandalia, IL along Veterans Ave. the church has been led since 2001 by Pastor Rod Caswell, whose warm smile and ebullient personality piques curiosity about this congregation.
“A bit of history that most people don’t know is that the church actually closed at one point,” shares Pastor Caswell, whose service to the church is the longest in its history of fourteen pastors.
In 1996, before Caswell’s tenure began, the church faced dwindling membership and such low attendance that the Illinois District Council of Assemblies of God (IDCAG) came to the decision that closure would be practical.
But then something remarkable happened. Andrew Ropp and his wife were driving through Vandalia and felt a distinct call to change the fate of the church. He went to the IDCAG and asked for a chance to turn things around.
“God used him to re-open the church and bring in new families,” explains Caswell. From that time of renewal onward, the church has grown to serve 100+ regular-attending members.
Just walking in the doors, it’s easy to see why the church is experiencing a continued season of growth.
The open fellowship area, constructed by its members, that lies beyond the main entrance offers the promise of a welcoming spirit.
“At a time when people no longer feel they need a church, we focus on being relaxed and no pressure,” expresses Caswell. “We want to be open and available to help anyone who wants a relationship with God.”
Over the years, the church has seen its share of transitions, including a move in 2011 from their original location on 7th St. to the former site of Rural King. Soon after, the First Assembly of God in Vandalia became CenterPointe Church.
The new worship site was made possible through a generous donation intended to change and energize the congregation.
“We believe people should center their lives on the Lord,” expounds Caswell. “He will point us in the direction He wants us to go.”
Services at the church include Sunday morning worship at 10:00 am and Wednesday evening Bible study at 7:00 pm. Opening with refreshments and fellowship, worship time continues with live, contemporary music led by their 10-member worship team that includes familiar hymnals performed with flair.
During the services there are also ministries for children like a nursery and Kids Church, so parents can relax and focus on worship and prayer that deepens their relationship with God and understanding of the Bible.
Smiling warmly, Caswell remarks that “99% of the time no one is wearing a tie on Sunday,” underscoring the church’s commitment to making everyone feel at ease. “There is no special attire necessary to attend.”
Making use of the YouVersion Bible app, the church ensures mobile access to the word of God and connection to weekly sermon notes for its members, so that attendees can follow along and study the Bible together more easily.
Connecting people and building relationships in this way is really at the core of CenterPointe. Focused on reaching out to those who feel alone and/or overcome by life’s challenges, the church is leading the way as a spiritual center where everyone is received with open arms.
A new ministry for ladies highlights this vital role CenterPointe plays in our community. Led by member Ashley Metzger, the Overcomer Ministries will meet regularly at the church to empower women to fulfill in their God-given destiny.
The church has also often opened its doors to others in the community, such as the local Rotary Club, Little Lambs Day Care Center, the Vandalia Performing Arts Center, and even homeschooling parents. It has also participated in community walks for causes like the Walk to End Alzheimers and recent the community church service during Vandalia’s Bicentennial celebrations.
Most recently, a benefit was held on Friday night for the granddaughter of Dr. Connie of Heaton-Heistand Veterinary Clinic. Born with spina bifida, Satsuki is the daughter of Yuki and Rachael, who face a continuing challenge to meet resource needs related to her medical issues.
When asked how Vandalia can pray for CenterPointe Church, Caswell jokes, “Pray for Internet.” Due to their location, the church currently experiences low connection speeds of only 4 megabits per second to the World Wide Web.
Pastor Caswell hopes that will change in the future though as new technological pathways are made possible in the city, so the congregation can lean into more technologies that make the church accessible to everyone.
“We’d really ask that the community pray for guidance for the vision of our future. That we continue to meet the community’s needs and help everyone who needs it from the person struggling with addiction to the professionals in our community, who face their own life challenges,” he notes.
Pastor Caswell and his wife Kari have been serving the Vandalia-based church for 18 years.